How Should Experiential Learning Be Assessed? From Perception To Practice

The study focuses on the importance of comprehensive assessment in experiential learning, which emphasizes active participation and practical activities to reinforce learning. While experiential learning aims to integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes, the literature reveals a predominant focus on theoretical evaluations, creating a gap in assessing practical skills and attitudes. Using a meta-synthesis approach, the study reviewed six research articles, examining measurement tools and methods. The findings highlight a reliance on self-reported measures and theoretical evaluations, with limited use of direct observations or practical tests, leading to misaligned measurement practices. Correlation analyses show weak links between knowledge, perception, and skills, underscoring the limitations of unidimensional assessments. Variability in measurement tools and inconsistent criteria further hinder comparability and reliability. The study emphasizes the need for standardized, multidimensional frameworks and rigorous methodologies to better evaluate experiential learning outcomes, addressing critical gaps in current practices.